Malone Golf Club

Malone Golf Club is a superb 27-hole parkland layout set across the 330-acre Ballydrain Estate, which the club acquired in 1960. The three nine-hole loops, Edenderry, Ballydrain and Malone, circle a central lake and give you plenty of variety if you're playing more than once.

On the course, it's classic mature parkland golf. Tree-lined holes frame the driving lines, while the best protection comes at the greens where you'll need solid distance control and the right side of the pin. There's enough room to swing the driver but it's a place where good course management usually beats trying to overpower it.

Location is a big tick too. You're just five miles from Belfast city centre and around 30 minutes from Belfast International Airport, so it's easy to build into a Belfast-based break. It also works brilliantly as a change of pace on a Northern Ireland tour, especially if you've got the big links on the wish list and want something more sheltered between coastal rounds. In short, it's a strong shout among the best golf courses in Northern Ireland if you're after quality parkland without straying far from the city.

Who is this for?
Groups, couples and societies who want a high-quality parkland day close to Belfast, with flexible 18-hole combinations and easy access to the city's restaurants and nightlife.

Who is it best for?
Golfers who enjoy plotting their way around, particularly mid-handicappers looking for a fair test that rewards accuracy over power.